Can a person still be charged after being released under investigation?

You have not been charged, and nor has your case been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). But you are not yet ‘out of the woods’, because the police are still suspicious that you have committed a criminal offence.

Can a person be held under investigation for a long time?

The police can keep your belongings for as long as they require them. This could be until they have finished investigating a particular item, or until the investigation has concluded and the case against you has been dropped. Unfortunately, this can take a considerable amount of time, especially if forensic testing is carried out.

How long does it take for a police investigation to end?

The investigation may take weeks, months or even years. It depends on various factors, including the complexity of the case, the availability of witnesses, and station resources. This makes things very difficult, as your life will effectively be put on hold while the police continue with their investigation.

When was release under investigation introduced in UK?

Since the Policing and Crime Act was implemented in April 2017, our criminal defence solicitors have seen a rise in the number of people being ‘released under investigation’. This is a controversial practice because it places you, as the accused, in a state of limbo.

How long does a police investigation usually last?

Technically, an investigation may last as little as 3 minutes for a traffic ticket, or decades for a major crime that has no statute of limitations. As others have pointed out, adhering to the statute of limitations is very important during investigations.

What happens when a criminal investigation is over?

A criminal investigation can make it hard to move on with employment, family decisions, vacations, everything. And worst of all is that you are waiting on bad news. Many times law enforcement won’t actually tell you, or your lawyer, when the investigation is over. You don’t know when, or if, the decision has been made to drop the case.

What to do if you are under police investigation?

The only person you should trust to guide you through a police investigation is your own criminal defense lawyer. Whether or not you are actually charged with a crime depends on many factors, but having an attorney by your side will help you avoid incriminating yourself, and reduce your chances of being charged.

How long can you be charged with a federal offense?

There are limitations on when you can be charged with a federal offense. Most of the time, the limit is five years from the date of the offense. If you haven’t been formally charged after a five year period you are probably in the clear.